We told you it was going to happen, and it did. The Concord City Council voted unanimously for an ordinance to lower speed limits on 20 city streets to improve safety. The decision follows a comprehensive citywide Engineering and Traffic Survey conducted by the City’s Transportation Division. The study evaluated speeds, collision data, and roadway conditions to ensure that posted limits reflect actual traffic patterns—and remain legally enforceable. The Concord Police Department will support enforcement of the new limits with an expanded traffic team, which now has six officers. Under California law, cities may adjust speed limits if supported by a traffic study. Typically, limits are set using the ‘85th percentile rule’—the speed at or below which 85% of drivers travel, rounded to the nearest 5 miles per hour (mph). Additional factors, such as schools, senior centers, or other bike and pedestrian generating activity centers, can also be considered in speed reductions. The ordinance requires a second reading for final adoption. Once approved, the new speed limits will take effect once new signage is installed at least 30 days thereafter. The following street segments will see speed reductions of 5 mph or more:
- Alberta Way from Clayton Road to Ygnacio Valley Road (35 mph to 25 mph)
- Ayers Road from Ygnacio Valley Road to Clayton Road (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Babel Lane from Clayton Road to Cowell Road (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Burnett Avenue from Highway 680 Northbound on/off ramp to John Glenn Drive (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Clayton Road from Galindo Street to Oakland Avenue (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Concord Avenue from Market Street to Salvio Street (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Cowell Road from Monument Boulevard to Babel Lane (35 mph to 30 mph)
- David Avenue from Oak Grove Road to Bancroft Road (40 mph to 35 mph)
- Galaxy Way from Commerce Avenue to Via De Mercados (30 mph to 25 mph)
- Galindo Street from Monument Boulevard to Salvio Street (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Grant Street from High School Avenue to Solano Way (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Kirker Pass Road from City Limit to Myrtle Drive (55 mph to 50 mph)
- Laura Alice Way from Arnold Industrial Way to Nelson Avenue (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Marsh Drive from Solano Way to City Limit (45 mph to 40 mph)
- Meadow Lane from Market Street to Monument Boulevard (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Minert Road from Oak Grove Road to City Limit (40 mph to 35 mph)
- Oak Grove Road from Junction Drive to City Limit (40 mph to 35 mph)
- Oakland Avenue from Clayton Road to Mt Diablo Street (30 mph to 25 mph)
- Port Chicago Highway from Panoramic Drive to City Limit (45 mph to 40 mph)
- West Street from Clayton Road to Concord Boulevard (30 mph to 25 mph)
Based on the Engineering and Traffic Survey data, the following street segments will see speed limit increases to maintain enforceability. Although the Councilmembers were reluctant to raise the limits, they recognized that without doing so, speeding citations could not be upheld under California law.
- Rolling Woods Way from Pine Hollow Road to the northernmost boundary of the Crystyl Ranch development (30 mph to 35 mph)
- Turtle Creek Road from Treat Boulevard to Fallbrook Road (30 mph to 35 mph)
- Crystyl Ranch Drive from Ygnacio Valley Road to Hiddencrest Court (35 mph to 45 mph)
Hmm, was there an estimate of revenue city will gain ? ? ?
Everyone will be driving like senior citizens at these speeds.
I, can resemble that . . . . . .
Actually not. It is an excellent move, adjustment for the already 5-10 mph most go over anyway.
A lot of drivers already speed, go through stop signs, red lights etc with zero consequences from law enforcement and the city council believes that by lowering the speed limit on these streets will result in less accidents. Quite the contrary, there will be more speeders, stop sign evaders, red light runners etc. Part of the solution is the need for more consistent law enforcement on driver violations – from registration, tinted windows, etc. It is way past the time to bring back law and order and to the city.
Solutions? Solutions? I don’t recall any discussion of solutions. And if there were, this certainly would not be one of them.
There is nothing wrong with tinted windows. My two cars windows are tinted and it truly helps in decreasing the sun expose on my skin while I am driving.
It is illegal to have the front side driver window tinted. Tinted windows obstruct much needed eye contact with the driver – which is a safety issue
Just more empty hollow platitudes! how does this begin to even address the real issues that impact our lives more than a “reduced speed limit” let’s go plant some trees with the mayor while we are at it or go protest criminals being removed from our country.
Irresponsible people drive at the speed they want.
Signs mean nothing to them.
Another waste of time and money.
Plain and simple, this has nothing to do with safety, because CPD doesn’t enforce speed the limits we have now. This is a feel good money grab. The Concord City Council, is broken, vote this people out when and if you can.
How can it be a money grab when concord pd doesn’t enforce speed laws???
Do you think that the city gets and installs all the required speed limit signs for free???
It’s a wasteful money grab for the city, plan and simple!!!
plain*
It can only make a difference if it’s enforced, and I suspect it won’t be. I don’t remember the last time I saw a car pulled over in Concord and I drive in Concord a lot.
Yes you did …. but very shallow thinking behind it shouldn’t be surprised though
So… every 30 or 40 votes they take…they get it right. eyeroll.
They shouldn’t have to replace posts, concrete, etc…so a new sign will only run about $300 EACH… Do you suppose all those ’35’s they remove to make it 30…will be reused where they change 40 to 35? 🙂
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Did you know that Valerie Barone takes home more than half a million per yr ~salary, padding & slush money!? You’d think this was a big important tourist attraction kinda city, instead of coffee and tacos on every corner, wouldn’t ya. (Even her Assistant Manager, Justin Ezell scrapes off more than the crappy Governor and the Lt Governor of the whole damn state!
~~~~~ Good ole’ boy Guy BJerke isn’t far behind…he’s now referred to as our “Economic Development Director” cutting deals for totally-unaffordable “low income” housing right downtown —in addition to running his personal Treasury Chest up by mis-handling his ‘temporary job’ Base Reuse deal(s)(s)(s) out for decades. He nearly doubles his (cough-cough) salary with pad and slush too.
I take back the “unaffordable” housing crack…. Concord’s locked-in leaders can afford anything the City has to offer.
Does it really matter, everyone drives 5-15 over the speed limit. And concord pd really doesn’t care.